July 2024
We got our extended family together here and had 6 adults and 2 pre-teens stay here. The house and layout was perfect for us. It's great that 3 of the 4 bedrooms are in the back/separate area so that some could go to bed earlier/later and also wake up earlier/later. We could be in the kitchen making noise and not wake up most folks. All the bedrooms have their own air conditioning unit, which made sleeping pleasant. The house is in a gated community, which adds a few minutes to get in and out of, but that makes it quiet even though you're only 5 minutes from the central Kona area. There are two beaches you can walk to, one of which is very calm and protected. There is a nice public walkway that goes in front of all the houses in the community, so there were people walking by the house all day, but we also used the pathway to get to the beach. We used the pool and patio a lot and felt like it is one of the nicest setups in the development. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would go back again.
Emily S.
April 2024
The property was clean and had everything we needed. The view was beautiful. There was so much to do within walking distance. It was the perfect place to stay and relax.
Jennifer S.
March 2024
Our family had a great stay! Listened to the waves each morning and night from the lanai. Spacious kitchen, living rooms and bedrooms. Super close proximity to downtown Kona. Would stay here again!
Janet O.
January 2024
It was a great spot for a family vacation.
Bill C.
January 2024
We have stayed all over the Big Island and Hawaii. Our group of 8 appreciated the proximity to downtown Kona both for running/walking and dining. Also, the home is located next to a large playground complex. My wife and I joined in open Pickleball a few times. The home is on the water, giving a perfect view. The best endorsement - we have already booked for next year.
Oisin O.
December 2023
Beautiful Sunset view over the breaking waves
kathie h.
August 2023
Great ocean house . The downstairs was a little warmer , and the d oh w stairs was a little musty , being a downstairs room . But in all a GREAT house
anne t.
March 2023
The property was amazing for our group. We enjoyed the views, walks along the rocks, and the proximity to many adventures while having some privacy. We enjoyed the open air doors and the round glass table for game playing.
Bogomil B.
February 2023
The house and the location are simply gorgeous. As you sip your sundowner drink, and stare at the Technicolor sunset, you think life doesn't get any better than this. And then a humpback whale breaches right in front of the house, and you are simply in awe. We loved the house, all the amenities, the perfect location right on the water, the proximity to town and to Honokohau harbor where all the boat tours start. We would love to come back!
Bonnie J.
December 2022
Excellent communications and follow-up with management company. Great ability to reach them during off-hours. Beautifully appointed—has everything you need—and more. Fantastic sunrises and sunsets. The only downside was entering the neighborhood after dark on our arrival day. Extremely dark and no way to see addresses. Had we not run into a security guard who was riding around, we would never have found this unit. Addresses are not visible at all at night. Either provide lights on addresses or tell guests how many units to pass before they arrive at this address. Would highly recommend this unit.
Greta L.
December 2022
House is on the rocky coast. No real beach nearby but a very nice setting. It should be noted that you will see and hear the massive cruise ships when they come in to Kona. House is nice. Bedding and beds very comfortable. Plenty on bathrooms Kitchen well equipped but could stand a couple new skillets as the non stick coating is cut up. House has great extras like snorkeling gear beach umbrellas rolling cooler and even a few hand weights to keep your muscles toned. It’s a peaceful spot. Loved sitting outside hearing the surf. We cooked a lot because it’s hard to find a more beautiful spot in this area to dine. This paradise comes at a price but for a larger group it would be well worth it. the management was very kind to allow us a later check out since no one was checking in the day we left
Keith D.
November 2022
We travel a lost and absolutely loved this property. The photos do not do it justice. The kitchen was well equipped and everything worked in the house. We completely relaxed and enjoyed the pool every day.
The concierge service was very helpful. The only downsides were the unexpected visit from the pool maintenance person, the existence of a public pathway between the house and the ocean, and the back bedrooms were located away from the view and pool.
Thomas D.
October 2022
This property has great potential but has deferred maitenance. The location close to town is outstanding. The views from the lanai are amazing. The waves crashing on the lava rocks and the sunsets are simply awesome. Where this house disappoints is its upkeep. The furniture is dated , uncomfortabe and needs replacement. The cushions for the outside furniture are soiled and need to be replaced. The pool is great but also needs maitenance. The tiles need to be cleaned and the bottom of the pool needs replastered. It should also be noted that pool was serviced once during our two week stay and was withiout chlorine the second week.
We were fully aware that the main part of the house did not have AC. Just understand that of the trade winds are not blowing it will be very umcomfortable.
Lastly Kona Coast who manages the property holds itself out as a "concierge" and they are not.
In summary this home can be a great place to stay but some work needs to be done to get there.
Carolyn M.
June 2022
The house was even better than we expected. Beautiful home, well equipped, and spectacular view.
Kim D.
April 2022
I don't even know where to start, it was so amazing!! We surprised our three adult children and their significant others on where we were staying. They absolutely loved it and said it was their favorite part of the vacation, the house that is. We were able to all spread out, have wonderful family time, cook together, enjoy inside, outside, candle light dinner on lenai and watch the sunset, sandy beach, Lava coast line and tide pools, views and local attractions. So many things with in minutes to enjoy. I can not say enough about this incredible property. Only negative thing about the home is that it made it hard to leave it and explore the rest of the island. Everyone involved was so accommodating from the security guard at the gate to concierge and Kona Coast Vacations crew. Thank you from all of us making this our favorite family vacation yet!!!
The Dallago's
Richard H.
February 2022
We had a really fabulous time at this property. It was clean and very well stocked in all the essentials. Right on the Ocean with tremendous views and sunsets. We watched Whales and Dolphins and left our binoculars there for the next guests to enjoy that experience. We will definitely think about renting there again.
Phil E.
January 2022
The property is in a perfect location, but there is much deferred maintenance and you can tell it is an active rental property with cheap furniture and no luxury amenities.
Sue A.
January 2022
This property is truly spectacular, and is even more beautiful in person than in the photos! What a wonderful place to relax together and a great location close to a lot of wonderful beaches and other things of interest. Weather was perfect. So nice to have the pool and hot tub and also the lanai to relax, ,watch the waves and the sunset. We saw humpback whales off our lanai every day.
Andrew B.
January 2022
I wasnt prepared for how magical this place was. The sunset dinners we had on the lanai with whales swimming by were of particular note. The management company was a joy to work with, super responsive and i felt that they genuinely cared and wanted to make sure we had an amazing time. All in all, we couldnt possibly have done better
Michael B.
January 2022
Beautiful house in a beautiful community. Everything was as good as advertised or better. Very well set up for guests - we had everything we needed. The assigned property manager (Kona Coast Vacations) was particularly helpful in making this a definite return location for us!!
December 2021
What a treat to spend 10 days in your wonderful Kona abode. Our two adult boys brought their girlfriends and we had our Tennessee cousins over for an amazing Thanksgiving. They stayed in nearby hotels. WE love that we can walk to downtown Kona and to the Old airport. The house was very comfortable but our only complaint would be that the small bedroom with the queen bed was not the best. We bought a mattress topper and new pillows but the box springs squeaked every time we turned over in bed. We "the parents", who paid for the house slept in there because we were too embarrassed to offer it to our son's new girlfriend😩. Please get a new comfortable bed for that room!! Everything was just perfect. Kitchen was great for cooking our large Thanksgiving dinner and what a bonus to find an empty refrigerator in the garage!!!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful home with our family. We hope to come back again soon.
Jim P.
October 2021
We spent two weeks at Villa Kona Kai. The location was perfect. Walking distance to coffee, restaurants and of course Kona town. This place had everything we needed for our vacation. The kitchen was huge and equipped with every appliance you could possibly need. The grounds were well maintained as was the pool and spa. Plenty of seating indoors and out for the eight of us. The bedrooms were comfortable and air conditioned. We couldn't have asked for anything more for our family. We would certainly love to return some day!
Kelly L.
December 2012
For us, two grandparents, adult son, and a family of four (4 and 7 y.o.) this house was a perfect home for the Thanksgiving week. Beautiful, elegant and well-crafted. Airy inside with tall ceilings (with the occasional gecko padding along upside down), lots of windows, beautiful materials and furnishings. We especially appreciated the ocean-facing side of the house opening completely, flowing seamlessly to the lanai, pool and jacuzzi and outdoor living room.
The master bedroom is the only bedroom in the main part of the house, while 3 bedrooms (1 master and 2 smaller) plus 2 bathrooms are in an air-conditioned bungalow a few steps behind (also plenty pleasant inside); lush greenery outside. For us this arrangement worked nicely, giving lots of space and extra room for quiet time. It also was handy in the morning when some would wake early and could go to the large living space in the front house without waking the rest in the back 3 bedrooms.
The pool got hours of use everyday, and while not heated, it was plenty comfortable once you hopped in and swam for a bit; the heated jacuzzi was also good for warming up. A slender path that runs through the community is all that separates this home from the lava rocks and surf splashing out front. Keiki sandy beach, a short walk along the path, was also fun for all and shallow, protected enough to wade and swim in. There are some fish too (mostly in the rocky edge areas), but look out for the occasional stray sea urchin in your path. And only a short drive to Kahalu'u beach for snorkeling.
Inside the posh kitchen were plenty of useful cookware, cutlery (Wusthof knives, nice), plus other items for cooking, and a grill on the lanai.
Close enough but not too close to town and stores.
All in all a beautiful, special house in a great spot. Thoughtfully remodeled. Geckos, mongooses and many kinds of birds shared the property. Made for a memorable and very relaxing visit.
Charelle W.
October 2012
Villa Kai is like a model home. Perfectly appointed, welcoming, spacious, well laid-out, sparkling clean, complete with lots of "extras" (laundry detergent, guide books, a lovely welcome basket). The "check-in" procedure was exactly as indicated in correspondence before our arrival and was very easy. The location was perfect...close to restaurants, grocery, shopping, massage therapist (!), etc., but still felt remote. Within 10 minutes of our arrival we saw spinner dolphins from the back terrace. We also had great fun checking out the tidal pool behind the house, and seeing the surf crash on the lava rock was something I'm still missing. Definitely felt it to be a home away from home. Cooking was a joy in the kitchen, the hot tub was a nice refresher. Plenty of room for our three kids (who loved having their own tvs, as we don't have a tv at home), us, and our friend. I didn't want to leave, and I would go back in a heartbeat!!
September 2012
The house was amazing. The layout was perfect as the home was an open and maximized the ocean view. Pool was perfect. Privacy and safety were definitely big pluses. All the little things (towels, dishes, coffee machine, etc.) were all included. Close to Target, shops, restaurants and main Ali'i drag.
July 2012
We spent a week here with extended family. We cooked all of our meals in the very nice kitchen and on the BBQ by the pool. It was like being at home, but with the pacific ocean as our soundtrack and backdrop. The great room is huge, with three separate eating areas and multiple sitting areas, allowed everyone to spread out. We enjoyed cocktails on the lava out by the crashing waves while watching the sun set over the Pacific. Kids loved the pool. The house is well stocked with towels, boogie boards, coolers, etc for day trips to the various beaches.
The neighborhood backs up the the Kona community center, with jogging paths, tennis courts, playscape, and an incredible aquatic center (with a former olympic swimmer coaching masters classes) available free of charge! Very strong swimmers can snorkel off the front of the house, but there is not much to see. Enjoyed swimming the ironman swim course Kailua Bay, watching colorful fish on the way out and dolphins play on the way in (they come into the bay in the mornings).
A day trip to the volcano was fun, but a long drive. The botanical gardens by Hilo were also very nice. The snorkel trip to see the Manta Rays was very cool (don't waste money to scuba with them, the snorkels are actually closer and have better views for less $'s). They all go to the same spot, so shop for best price. We used sunlight on the water and were happy with them.
There is a Costco close to the airport, which is a good place to stock up, as the grocery stores are very expensive, and most of the restaurants are mediocre and overpriced. Although, we enjoyed our coffee and fish sandwiches at Lava Java.
Sushi lovers will appreciate the fresh, locally caught ahi at the TKA grocery store in town. We enjoyed that with cocktails every night! Farmers Market in town has good local fruits and a good French bakery stand (try the coconut butter on their large loaf, sliced and toasted...ummm yum!). Donkey Balls chocolate store in town has great chocolate and very memorable souvenir shirts.
We'll definately be back!
Wayne M.
February 2012
Villa Kai is a wonderful home right on the water. We have been coming for the past two years. Owner continues to surprise us with new upgrades/features. Nature supplies the whale watching right in front of us. The community park near by has 4 tennis courts in great condition and they have started to offer Pickleball as well, which our group likes to play. We can also enjoy the beach area which is a 2 min. walk from the house. A better Hawaiian experience could not be found. Our batteries are fully recharged by the time we leave (which we hate to do).
Jesse M.
January 2012
The house was beautiful, spacious, and well-appointed, located on an idyllic location yards from the ocean, and close to town and great beaches for swimming and snorkeling. My children used the pool and hot tub for hours a day. There were plenty of towels. The owner brought over a Christmas tree with a string of lights, a thoughtful attention. It was an extraordinary holiday for myself and family.
October 2011
The pictures of this house don't do it justice. It is simply paradise. The uniqueness of this house is magical. Even though we were all family, it allowed us to each have our own space and privacy. The house is VERY well kept and the furnishings AWESOME!! I didn't explore the island as I thought I might because I was happy just being at the house and enjoying the pool and surroundings. It was so relaxing watching the ocean and listening to the birds sing. Everyone was so friendly (security guards at the front gates) to beautiful little songbirds that would hop in the house when we had the front doors open. It was by far my favorite vacation spot, and I would HIGHLY recommend this house to anyone thinking of vacationing in Kona. Again to the owner of the house, Thank You for sharing your paradise with us.
June 2011
The pictures do not do this property justice. We got married during our stay, rented this home for some family members and ourselves. I spent most of post-ceremony just relaxing here. Well equipped, clean and nicely decorated. If Hawaiian outdoor living with spectacular a sunset oceanside view is what you are looking for, look no further! Loved it!
Jennifer V.
April 2011
My family and I stayed at the Villa Kai from April 15-22 of 2011, and we loved it! There were 6 of us (5 adults, one child) with room for more. This house is EVEN BETTER than it looks on the web. It's huge and airy, with lots of light and windows, and constant ocean breeze flows through when you leave the patio doors open. The view is breathtaking...you can see and hear the waves crashing on the lava rocks just feet from your patio. Although the oceanfront is public we hardly ever saw other people walking, and it felt very private and very safe. Sometimes cruise ships would dock for a day in the distance (not close enough to distract from the view) and we could see lots of kayaks and sailboats. We loved the tide pools out front, and saw little black crabs, sea cucumbers, spiny urchins, small fish. The keiki beach is less than a 4-minute walk along the sea wall and is gorgeous -- cove-protected crystal water, views, etc. Our 4-year-old loved splashing and exploring there. The drive to Alii drive/Kona town is short and easy. The guard is friendly (although we didn't need him, it felt good to see him patrolling regularly.) The kitchen was well-organized and had everything, including coffee grinder and pot, cooking stuff, spices, olive oil, extra rice, napkins, etc. In fact, we bought food and cooked breakfast every day, b/c the view from the patio was just so much nicer and more relaxing than any restaurant could supply. Even the yard/sides of the house were fantastic, with pineapple plants, thick green moss on rocks (think Fairy Garden, as my 4-year-old did), and lots of adorable green geckos with red spots. We did see a few wild cats and mongooses but they didn't bother us, and they didn't approach the property (at least, not that we noticed). You will find cats and mongooses everywhere on Kona. There were tons of spider webs with gorgeous black and yellow spiders, and we enjoyed looking at the interesting stitching in their webs and taking macro photos of them. The front bedroom and main living area have no AC, but with fans and ocean breeze, this was not an issue for us. One note: b/c the pool and spa are not gated, and because you will be keeping the patio doors open for the ocean breezes, you need to keep an eagle-eyed watch on toddlers -we did a "tag in" plan to keep our 4-yr-old 100% watched, and we had no issues.Overall, this house is FANTASTIC, totally worth the price, and we'd stay again.You will not regret staying here. It's super!
April 2011
Wow, what a great house. We were all stunned by it. Best vacation ever. We really never wanted to leave it, so now we have to come back to explore the island!
We had high hopes for this rental, and they were exceeded in every way. The pictures, if anything, make the house look smaller than it is. Our party of 7 had plenty of room. The property was in terrific condition, and having two fridges was sure helpful. Mary Lou and Gerry were extremely helpful and answered all of our questions. They were also accomodating for our slightly early arrival.
I wish I could post SOMETHING negative here, because I want this house to be available when we come back!
Really, it was spectacular. The dolphins swam in front of the house on the last day, just icing on the cake.
Thanks again
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